Friday, November 30, 2012

Big-Box Challenge w/ Sarah Richardson: Bathroom

Happy Friday everyone! Yours truly is in Calgary this weekend for an early Christmas party and a much needed relaxing rest to rejuvenate before the real busy holiday season begins. Now speaking about relaxation and rejuvenation, nothing beats having an ultimate spa-like bathroom right at home. This is the lesson from Sarah's Big-Box Challenge this week.

A must-have item in a breathtaking, sumptuous bathroom is a gorgeous vanity. Now we all know a custom vanity can cost a small fortune, especially after factoring in a marble top, an undermount sink, and the showstopper faucet. Check out this sensational beauty Sarah installed in this country bathroom: the perfect mix of city chic with country charm + a hint of industrial flair (thanks to the pair of sconces).

Want to create this vanity in your own home? In this webisode, Sarah will show us how to use standard lumber supplies at our local Lowe's to create an one of a kind master piece with a little imagination and a lot of creativity.

What a gorgeous bathroom!! I can totally move into this bathroom in a heart beat! Here are the tips I picked up this week to re-create the look in my future master ensuite.

* Tip 1: lacking storage in your bathroom? Why not installing a medicine cabinet to house all your bathroom essentials? I love the narrow profile of this wall hung model (for less visual weight and provides room only for items you need), and how it completely utilizes the otherwise unused wall space above the toilet. The mirror door front offers yet another reflective surface to bounce off lights in this light and airy bathroom, and for extra sparkles.

* Tip 2: trying to keep your bath towels neatly organized for all members of the family, consider installing hooks instead of towel bars. For an extra bonus, you now have an "excuse" to install solid pine tongue and groove panels as wainscoting for (1) visual pleasure and (2) a sturdy surface for the hooks to mount on.

* Tip 3: be creative with your tile application. I am a firm believer of the power of tile play, and whenever I install a tile floor, I always look for way to inject a fun, intricate pattern. As long as the material-mix works with the overall color palette, a stunning tile carpet is within your reach! I also love the shower curtain application here. Instead of having just one full length panel, why not have two and give the shower a "window treatment"? HEART this idea!

* Tip 4: wainscoting backsplash for country charm. You may think it is impractical to install a painted wood panel as backsplash. However, if you use special bathroom paint or exterior paint, your painted backsplash will be good as new, even when it is a few years down the road. After all, these paints are made to withstand moisture. If they are good enough to stand up against mother nature, a little splash indoor won't be able to harm it.

To re-create the vanity Sarah created using materials from Lowe's, these are the specific items used in the making of the DIY custom vanity.